Department of Astronautics Courses

Astro Engr 201.
Technology Skills for Astronautics.1(1).A
self-paced course designed to provide the programming,
modeling, and simulation skills required in the various
courses in the Astro Engr major.Students will be introduced to the MatLab/Simulink
tools for programming, modeling, and simulation and to
state-of-the-art 3-D computer tools for satellite analysis
and visualization.A series of proficiency tasks using the various tools
must be completed over the course of the semester.Prereq:
Comp Sci 110.
Coreq:Astro
Engr 310.Sem
hrs:1 fall or
spring.
Pass/fail.

Astro Engr 310.
Introduction to Astronautics.3(1).
Introduction to the history, principles, and challenges of
space.Elements
of space missions are examined including orbits, spacecraft
systems, launch vehicles, re-entry, operations, and mission
management.
Emphasis is placed on understanding the underlying physical
principles and the system engineering process used to select
orbits, plan maneuvers, and accomplish preliminary design of
spacecraft payloads/subsystems to meet mission requirements.Concepts are reinforced through hands-on use of
application-based analysis and visualization software and
communication of these learned principles through written
reports.Final
exam.Prereq:Math 142, Engr 101, and Physics 110.Sem hrs:
3 fall or spring

Astro Engr 310V.Introduction to
Astronautics.
The Department of Astronautics offers limited enrollment in
AstroEngr 310V, an accelerated, instructor-assisted,
self-study version of its core course, Astro Engr 310 -
Introduction to Astronautics.This course is intended to help high-achieving cadets
prepare for a final exam after 10 lessons.The final exam will be normal length and arranged via
SCA at a time TBD on or near lesson 11.If the cadet scores over 70% on the final exam and
over 50% on all major subject portions of the final exam,
he/she will receive
validation credit for AstroEngr 310.Cadets who don't meet the validation requirement will
be moved into a traditional (semester-long) section of Astro
Engr 310.
Advisors with cadets who may be interested in taking this
accelerated course should submit an APS for review and
approval by DFAS by lesson 20 of the preceding semester.Prereq:
DFAS approval.
Direct any questions to the DFAS AIC or Deputy Head.Fall or Spring.

Astro Engr 331.
Space Systems Engineering.3(2).
Fundamentals of space vehicle design are presented with an
emphasis on systems engineering.Introduction to system-level spacecraft design issues
are covered including reliability, environments, radiation
effects, testing, materials engineering, integration, launch
vehicles, and operations.Introduction to and analyses of payloads, structures,
propulsion, electrical power, communications and data
handling, attitude determination and control, and thermal
control subsystems are also covered.The course includes an integrated lab experience
where small teams analyze and integrate subsystems into a
functioning small satellite called “EyasSat.”Each team demonstrates and documents their EyasSat at
the system level as a part of the final evaluation.Final report or final exam.Prereq:
Astro Engr 310; Chem 110 or Chem 200; and Physics 215 (or
DFAS department head approval.)Sem hrs:
3 fall or spring.

Astro Engr 351.Rocket
Propulsion.
3(1).
Introduction to rocket propulsion and propulsion system
design.The
basic laws of thermodynamics, thermochemistry, and
conservation are used to determine ideal motor performance.Emphasis is placed on describing the components and
conceptual design criteria for liquid, solid, and hybrid
rockets.
Electric, nuclear, and other advanced propulsions systems
are also studied.Final exam or final project.Prereq:
Astro Engr 310 and Aero Engr 241.Sem hrs:
3 fall or spring.

Astro
Engr 437.Small
Spacecraft Engineering II.4(2).A
second course in small spacecraft systems engineering.Multi-disciplinary system design of spacecraft
hardware and software to include subsystems, propulsion
systems, attitude determination and control systems,
electrical power systems, structures, payloads, and ground
stations.
Finalize design, fabricate, test, and fly actual spacecraft
as a rideshare on a space launch vehicle.Course also includes opportunities to operate
on-orbit small satellites.Final project or report.Prereq:
C1C standing, Astro Engr 436, and departmental approval.Sem hrs:
4 spring.

Astro
Engr 445.
Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics and Control.3(1).
Fundamental introduction to the problem of controlling
satellite attitude.Topics include direction cosine and Euler angle
attitude parameters, torque-free rigid body motion, spin
stabilization, gravity-gradient stabilization, momentum and
reaction wheel control, and reaction jet control.Projects include the development of a satellite
attitude dynamics simulation and the design of a reaction
wheel and reaction jet attitude control system.Final project or final exam.Prereq:
Engr Mech 320 or Physics 355; completed or enrolled in Engr
342.Includes
analysis and synthesis with MATLABä
simulation.Sem
hrs:3 fall or
spring.

Astro
Engr 495.
Special Topics. 1-3(1).Selected topics in astronautics.Final exam or final report. Prereq:Department approval.Sem hrs and offering time determined by department
(not more than 3 sem hrs).

Engr
341. Linear Systems Analysis and Design.3(1).
Analysis and design of linear systems. Includes modeling of
electrical and mechanical systems; characterization of
physical systems using linear, constant-coefficient
differential equations and state-space models; Convolution
using Laplace transform techniques; identification of system
response using frequency response and Bode plots;
specification of design criteria in the s-domain; and
modification of system parameters to satisfy design
requirements.
MATLABä
and SimulinkTM
are introduced as simulation tools and as a computer
interface for analysis and design.Lab.
Final exam.
Prereq:Math 245
and ECE 231.
(Administered by the Department of Astronautics).Sem hrs:
3 fall.

Engr
342. Linear Control
System Analysis and Design. 3(2).
Formulation and
analysis of the linear control problem by transform methods.
Synthesis of linear control systems emphasizing the root
locus and Bode methods. Includes laboratory analysis and
synthesis with real hardware and/or MATLAB™ and Simulink™
simulation. Final project. Prereq: Engr 341 or Mech Engr 325
or ECE 332 or department approval. (Administered by
Department of Astronautics). Sem hrs: 3
spring.